Bryant - Game Recaps

Uncharacteristically Tom Brady threw 4 interceptions. He came into this game, having thrown only 9 all season. Two of his interceptions were in the last 2 minutes of play. Brady completed 18 out of 29 passing attempts for 171 yards. He threw 3 touchdowns in the game. The first a 31 yard completion to Kevin Faulk. The other two were short passes to Corey Dillon and Daniel Graham.

Corey Dillon was a big part of the Patriots' game plan. And he finished the game with 121 rushing yards and both a receiving and a rushing touchdown. During their first drive in the second quarter, he rushed 6 times for 24 yards, finishing with a 3 yard touchdown run. On that same drive, the Patriots rushed for 10 plays and threw for only 3.

Miami Dolphins

Miami's first four possessions through the first 23 minutes netted minus 2 yards. But they kept fighting and with help from their defense, Miami scored two touchdowns in the final 2:07 to win 29-28.

Miami was forced to punt on their opening drive. But on their second drive a long punt return of 71 yards to the 2 yard line by Wes Welker set up Sammy Morris' first touchdown rush. New England held the Miami Dolphins to only a total of 54 yards on 17 rushing attempts between both Sammy Morris and Travis Minor. But the Patriots were unable to stop them at the goal line. Morris finished the game with 2 rushing touchdowns and Minor contributed one as well.

The Miami defense proved once again why they are one of the best teams against the pass. They recorded 4 interceptions on Tom Brady. Those interceptions were really the deciding factor in the game and directly led to 2 of their touchdowns.

A.J. Feeley was effective in leading the Dolphins' offense, but not flashy. He finished the game with 22 completions out of 35 attempts for 198 yards. His lone touchdown pass was to Derrius Thompson in the final minutes of the game.

WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

New England Patriots

QB: Tom Brady (18-29-171, 3 TD, 4 INT, 2 for -2 rushing) The 4 interceptions are the big story for Brady. He connected with Kevin Faulk right over the middle for a 31 touchdown reception during the opening drive. Brady had two passes blocked at the line of scrimmage, the first time that has happened this season. Brady was intercepted near the end of the half, throwing deep into double coverage. Brady had an end zone pass to Mike Vrabel get tipped away. But on the next play, Brady had all the time to throw and threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Corey Dillon. Brady threw a second 2 yard touchdown pass to Daniel Graham. Brady threw an interception that gave Miami the opportunity to win with less than two minutes left in the game and then after Miami scored, with less than a minute left in the game, Brady threw his fourth interception.

RB: Corey Dillon (26-121, 1 TD rushing, 2-1, 1 TD receiving on 2 targets) Corey Dillon rushed for 18 yards on his first carry of the game. In the second quarter, Dillon was a huge factor, rushing 6 times for 24 yards, finishing with a 3 yard touchdown run. In the third quarter, Dillon was again a significant factor, rushing 5 times for 31 yard. He ended the drive with a 2 yard touchdown reception. It was Dillon's first touchdown reception since 2001. Dillon made a great rush right up the middle and spun for 20 yards to the 2 yard line, leading to Daniel Graham's touchdown reception.

Kevin Faulk (6-39 rushing, 1-31, 1 TD receiving on 2 targets) Kevin Faulk made a 31 yard touchdown reception on the opening drive of the game. In the running game, Faulk was used primarily to spell Dillon.

Patrick Pass (4-8 rushing, 3-17 receiving on 3 targets) Pass played a small role in the Patriots' offense.

WR: Deion Branch (3-44 receiving on 5 targets) Deion Branch saw all of his targets in the second half of the game. He made a 10 yard reception and then a sharp 23 yard reception near the end of the third quarter.

David Patten (4-40 receiving on 9 targets) David Patten made the first reception of the game for 6 yards. Patten was Brady's favorite receiver in the game, receiving 9 of Brady's targets.

Troy Brown (1-6 receiving on 1 target) Troy Brown made a 6 yard reception at the end of the first quarter.

David Givens (0-0 receiving on 1 target) Givens was the target of Tom Brady's last interception.

TE: Daniel Graham (3-24, 1 TD receiving on 6 targets) Daniel Graham fought to gain 12 yards and a first down for the Patriots. Graham was targeted deep near the end of the first half, but Brady overthrew him. Graham made a 10 yard reception to convert on a third down. Graham capitalized on Dillon's 20 yard run in the fourth quarter with a 2 yard touchdown reception.

Christian Fauria (1-8 receiving on 1 target) Christian Fauria made an 8 yard reception to the 3 yard line that set up Dillon's touchdown run.

K: Adam Vinatieri (4-4 XP) Vinatieri converted all four of his extra point attempts.

Pass Defense: The Patriots' held A.J. Feeley to just under 200 yards. And it wasn't until there was 2 minutes left in the game that he threw his touchdown pass, though it was the game winning score.

Rush Defense: New England did hold the Dolphins to only 52 rushing yards total. But they were completely ineffective at the goal line and allowed 3 rushing touchdowns. Vince Wilfork recovered Chris Chamber's fumble.

Miami Dolphins

QB: A.J. Feeley (22-35-198, 1 TD, 2 for -2 rushing) A.J. Feeley was sacked and fumbled the ball during the first drive, and though the fumble was recovered by Miami, they were forced to punt. It wasn't until halfway through the second quarter that Feeley began to be efficient as a passer, completing consecutive passes of 7, 15, and 17 yards. He completed 5 out of 7 passes for 58 yards on that drive but his last attempt was thrown too low for Randy McMichael and the Dolphins settled for a field goal. Feeley threw the game winning touchdown, a 21 yard pass to Derrius Thompson

RB: Sammy Morris (9-27, 2 TD rushing, 6-46 receiving on 6 targets) Sammy Morris only gained 1 yard on his first carry. During the second drive of the game, Morris capitalized on a 71 yard punt return with a 2 yard touchdown run. Morris scored a 1 yard touchdown rush after Rodney Harrison was called for pass interference against Chris Chambers.

Travis Minor (8-27, 1 TD rushing, 0-0 receiving on 1 target) Travis Minor gained 22 yards on 5 carries in the third quarter after Sammy Knight's interception. Minor leaped and flipped over the pile to score on a 1 yard rush to end the drive.

WR: Marty Booker (4-35 receiving on 7 targets) Marty Booker saw his first target in the second quarter. He was able to break a tackle but only gained 3 yards. Booker dropped a handoff on a reverse play from Chris Chambers, and New England recovered it. It looked as though Booker was going to pass the ball on the play.

Derrius Thompson (2-31, 1 TD receiving on 4 targets) Derrius Thompson made his first catch during the second quarter for 10 yards to the 1 yard line. Feeley underthrew him in the fourth quarter. Thompson made a great 21 yard touchdown reception that won the game for the Dolphins after Tom Brady's interception.

Bryan Gilmore (2-24 receiving on 2 targets) Bryan Gilmore made a 15 yard reception during the second quarter.

Chris Chambers (3-24 receiving on 11 targets, 1-0 rushing, 1 fumble lost) Chris Chambers made a great reception for 9 yards that converted a third down. Chambers had an 8 yard reception brought back on a holding penalty. Chambers was targeted in the end zone and drew a pass interference call. Chambers was credited with the fumble after his botched hand off attempt to Marty Booker.

TE: Randy McMichael (4-29 receiving on 8 targets) Randy McMichael was targeted over the middle in double coverage during the second quarter and was unable to make the catch. Another of McMichael's targets was thrown too short for him to make the reception. McMichael made a 7 yard reception to start the second half. McMichael dropped what should have been an easy catch in the third quarter.

Donald Lee (1-9 receiving on 1 target) Lee saw his only target in the fourth quarter of play.

K: Olindo Mare (2 XP, 1-1 FG) Olindo Mare made a 30 yard field goal.

Pass Defense: Jason Taylor recorded a sack on Brady during the first quarter. And Brady was sacked a total of 2 times during the game. Sammy Knight intercepted Brady twice in the game, the first time on a ball thrown into double coverage. Brendon Ayanbadejo intercepted Brady near the end of the game, leading to Derrius Thompson's touchdown. And Brady threw a fourth with less than a minute in the game.

Rush Defense: The Miami rush defense found it difficult to contain Corey Dillon who rushed against them for 126 yards and 1 touchdown. The rest of the Patriots' running backs contributed an additional 47 yards.